Canon 5D Mark IV overview

Continuing on in their legacy of powerful workhorse cameras, Canon has released the 5D Mark IV DSLR which is an outstanding still photography option and an able 4K-capable video machine. This multimedia maven offers a newly developed 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor paired with the DIGIC 6+ image processor in order to balance fine detail and resolution with low-light performance and sensitivity. It is able to work within a native range of ISO 100-32000, which can then be expanded to an impressive ISO 50-102400, for sharp, low-noise images in a variety of conditions. Along with these improvements to image quality, users will enjoy a performance boost across the board with an enhanced AF system, built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and GPS, and much more.

In order to deliver detailed images quickly and effectively the 5D Mark IV leverages the power of the DIGIC 6+ image processor, which can handle up to 7 frames per second during continuous shooting. It also uses a 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor to evaluate the scene and subjects for accurate exposures under a variety of different lighting conditions. An improved 61-point High Density Reticular AF furthers the camera's speed by tracking and locking onto subjects quickly and accurately for tack sharp photos. A new AF area select button is now available as well for near immediate access to this setting.

Video benefits from the addition of Dual Pixel CMOS AF and Movie Servo AF to smoothly rack focus during a shot. Shooters can even make use of the 3.2" 1.62m-dot touchscreen LCD to simply tap to adjust the focus point. Furthermore, now that the camera has DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) video recording at up to 30 fps, users can snag 8.8MP stills from the video for an even faster capture option. Tied into the Dual Pixel sensor architecture is a brand new feature for Canon: Dual Pixel RAW, which allows for fine tuning of certain image parameters, including bokeh shift and focus micro adjustment, after the image is taken.

The body has been further refined for comfort and ease of access, as well as durability and weather resistance. The Canon N3 remote port has been relocated to the front of the camera body and they have added both GPS and Wi-Fi with NFC to make this model a connected camera.

30.4MP Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and DIGIC 6+ Image Processor

In line with previous members of the main 5D series, the Mark IV attempts to balance high resolution with low-light performance with a newly developed 30.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor. This provides a beneficial increase in overall resolution without compromising on sensitivity. Additionally, thanks to the DIGIC 6+ image processor it is paired with, it offers impressive performance within a native range of ISO 100-32000, which can be expanded to ISO 50-102400.

Versatility is key with the 5D, as it needs to be able to tackle landscapes and weddings with equal ease. By using a 150,000-pixel RGB+IR metering sensor shooters will be able to more comfortably rely on the camera to capture difficult scenes. This sensor also has face detection as well as flicker detection which can ensure proper exposure in less-than-ideal lighting situations. Along with this, the camera offers an improved continuous shooting rate of 7 fps, making it a great option for events and action.

High Density Reticular AF and Dual Pixel CMOS AF Systems

Ensuring your subject is tack sharp, the 5D Mark IV incorporates an enhanced High Density Reticular AF system, which offers 61 phase-detect points, with all points sensitive to f/8 and 41 of which are cross-type. The center point can function down to -3 EV for working in extremely dim lighting. Compared to previous versions, this sensor has expanded vertical coverage of 24% on the peripherals and 8% in the center in order to better track and locate subjects in the frame.

In addition to advanced tracking and focusing while using the optical finder for stills, Live View and video can now use Dual Pixel CMOS AF on the actual imaging sensor. This offers about 80% coverage of phase-detection autofocus for faster and more accurate focusing in these modes. It is ideal for video as users will enjoy smoother rack focusing without the downsides normally encountered with contrast-based systems. Also, this works well with the touchscreen functions, allowing shooters to just tap to adjust focus.

DCI 4K Video Recording

Designed for both professional stills shooting and video recording, the 5D Mark IV supports DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution recording at up to 30 fps at 500 Mbps, along with Full HD 1080p shooting at 60 fps and HD 720p at 120 fps for slow motion playback. When recording in-camera, 4K video has 4:2:2 sampling and 8-bit color depth, while Full HD 1080p footage has 4:2:0 sampling. Uncompressed Full HD 1080p video can also be saved via HDMI to an optional external recorder with 4:2:2 color sampling. 4K video is recorded using a central 4096 x 2160 area of the sensor at a 1.74x crop in order to record video with an ideal 1:1 pixel sampling ratio, while Full HD recording makes use of the entire full frame.

Audio can be recorded using the on-board stereo microphone or an optional external mic can also be used via the 3.5mm mic jack. Real time audio monitoring is possible, too, via the 3.5mm headphone jack. The 4K video recording also avails the ability to take 8.8MP still frame grabs during playback on the rear touchscreen and save them as single images.

Dual Pixel RAW

First implemented here on the 5D Mark IV, Dual Pixel RAW allows photographers to record all the information the sensor's unique pixel architecture can deliver, providing a way for fine adjustments to be made after the image is taken. These adjustments include focus fine tuning that can help you ever-so-slightly adjust the focus point to bring out extra details, shift bokeh around for improved composition, and reduce the impact of ghosting on your photos. This requires the use of Canon's Digital Photo Professional 4.5 software.

Body Design

A large 3.2" 1.62m-dot Clear View II LCD monitor is available and features an anti-reflective design for bright, vivid image playback and live view shooting, and its touchscreen interface can be used for intuitive touch-to-focus control and adjusting settings in the menus.

An Intelligent Viewfinder II uses a pentaprism design and offers a bright means for viewing. When using the viewfinder, AF points are highlighted in red for greater visibility in low-light conditions, and the finder can also be configured to display a range of other shooting aids, such as an electronic level, grid, flicker detection, white balance, metering mode, AF information, and other settings.

A Mirror Vibration Control System helps to minimize mechanical vibrations in order to better ensure sharpness during long exposures or fast continuous shooting bursts.

A robust magnesium alloy body design is both dust- and weather-sealed to permit working in harsh environments.

Other Camera Features

A built-in GPS module allows you to geotag imagery in-camera as well as auto time sync with the Universal Time Code via satellites. This module is compatible with American GPS, Russian GLONASS, and Japanese quasi-zenith Michibiki satellites for a wide coverage of support.

Digital Lens Optimizer technology compensates for a range of optical defects from various lenses, including chromatic aberration, distortion, peripheral brightness, and diffraction, and the camera can store lens data in order to avoid having to re-register lenses prior to each use. The camera can handle this process in real time, delivering JPEGs with the corrections already applied.

A built-in intervalometer permits the creation of time-lapse imagery and supports recording 1-99 consecutive frames in pre-selected intervals from 1 second to 99 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Users can also choose to set the camera to unlimited frames.

Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity enable wireless sharing, control, and image transfer with a compatible smart device as well as the CS100 Connect Station.

Canon 5D Mark IV reviews

EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera (Body Only) is rated
4.8 out of
5 by
666.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Frank from
Excellent Upgrade of my 5D Mark IIIThe 5D mark IV is an excellent upgrade of my 5D Mark III as it is better on all fronts. I especially appreciate the higher dynamic range, the 36% increased resolution and the improved AF in terms of number of active AF points at F/8 and DPAF for video. The 24-105mm f/4L II lens is slightly better than the previous version, but not a significant improvement over previous versions as we have seen with the 24-70L II, 70-200L II and 100-400L II. Compared to the previous version, the 24-105L II has less barrel distortion at 24mm, is slightly sharper at 105mm and shows in general a little less chromatic aberration.

Date published: 2016-12-09

Rated 4 out of
5 by
vmvideoguy from
Love it!We came from using the Canon EOS 6D. We use these cameras for wedding videography and photography. Many people looking for 4k video will not like this camera as there are other offerings on the market that have more features than this camera. Keep in mind this is a photography camera 1st. Looking for the absolute best video camera, then look at the cinema line of products. We continue to use these models for video because, outside of videographers we have 0 customers wanting 4k and we shoot photos too. Love the extra pixels from the sensor and a little better recovering details in the shadows. Arguably one of the best auto-focus around.

Date published: 2016-10-23

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Hai with Elise Films from
Best Hybrid CameraI use this camera for professional video and photo use and it performs excellent at both. Pros: dual pixel autofocus works smoothly (best in the market), beautiful canon colors, 4k, slomotion capability (60p and 120p), built in timelapse video function, HDR video mode, viewfinder 2 shows a lot more information, rugged build quality Cons: 4k has a crop factor, 120 fps slomo is only at 720p It's hard to find a camera that can do it all at a good price. I could have gone with the sony a7sii or a7rii but neither does well at both video and photo. While the 5D4 is not perfect, it bridges both creative worlds for the type of work I do which is weddings and family portraits.

Date published: 2016-09-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Tibor from
Impressed worthwhile upgrade from the 5D M3 !!!I'm using canon for over 20 years professionally for photography and Sony a7S for video which is amazing. Love the DR of the sony so I purchased the sony a7R II with a goal of slow transition to mirrorless. The DR of the a7RII is beautiful but the low light capability past 2000 iso was surprisingly bad, after returning it got the Canon 5D M4 and was blown away with the low light quality which is essential for my event photography, more important then the higher Dynamic Range of sony but even in this regard the 5DM4 is way better then the 5DM3. Big plus is the focusing accuracy and speed, I'm very impressed, attached and image captured at 20000 iso.

Date published: 2017-04-06

Rated 5 out of
5 by
CORunner93 from
Amazing! Highly Recommended!I left dslrs for mirrorless four years ago and until recently, I was using a Sony A7R ii. Mirrorless certainly have their place, but the 5D mk IV is the best all around camera that I have ever used. I'm a stills photographer, so not concerned with video features, and a Canon has nailed it! The body feels solid and is a touch lighter than the mk iii, touchscreen performs very well, autofocus is fast, the dynamic range is much improved and in my opinion, on par with the Sony sensor, and resolution is in the sweet spot for me. I am very happy to be back in the Canon ecosystem!

Date published: 2016-10-05

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Fred Bo from
Perfect ! Only downside is...coming from a 5D mark II, everything is better. What i wanted the most is better AF and better sensibility. It's a life changer. Autofocus is by far the thing i love most with this camera, even in video mode. it's simply outstanding ! Downside is 4K video codec which is unusable. Such and old tech :/ For sure it's a dumb move not to hurt Canon Eos cinema camera line. Just for this reason I will keep on using Sony DSLR for video. Also i miss articulated screen like on the GH camera series and Sony A7 series. All in all, highly recommended for photography, not for video where codec, sharpness and dynamic range is average quality.

Date published: 2016-10-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Great service , Great product. Perfect.-I would like to start off by saying the B&H website was easy to navigate and my order was processed and shipped witihin hours. I had it shipped from B&H in New York, to SAN Jose,ca where I live. My camera and lens arrived in 3 days. No issue. Great service . -I have had my Canon 5D Mark iv for a couple of weeks now, I use it for stills and video. I am extremely happy so far. Prior to this the only DSLR I owned was a t3i, so this is a giant upgrade. I do have experience with the 5D mark iii and 7d as well . So far so good with this mark iv. Very easy to use and has a lot of features.i like the wifi and touch screen in particular. The Lseries lenses are amazing. Top notch quality.

Date published: 2016-12-21

Rated 4 out of
5 by
atlcroc from
Loved the body, lens okayMy basic all around camera. Photos when traveling including landscapes, architecture, street shots. Replaced the 5 D Mark III. Was extremely happy with the camera and could see great improvement in quality of shots. Was not as happy with the lens since my main interest was increased sharpness. Could not see that much improvement when I compared the lens to my original 24-105. So I returned the kit and just purchased the camera body. Would give the camera a 5 star rating and lens a 3 star and that's how it got a 4 star rating.